You certainly deserve a response.

But if you expect them to replace the camera or repair the flash after 2 years of operation, you are possibly more than a shade optimistic, I'm sorry to say.

If I could, I'd happily transfer you mine. I don't use the flash, so wouldn't miss it.

As you probably know, your second question at least is addressed briefly in the PentaxForums review:

'To take full advantage of the K-3's filterless sensor, you will need to have some sharp lenses in your bag.  We stand behind the following lenses as the best of the best from Pentax (or for Pentax):
FA 31mm limited
DA 35mm limited macro
DA 70mm limited
FA 77mm limited
DFA 100mm macro
DA* 55mm
DA* 60-250mm
DA* 300mm
Sigma 35mm F1.4
Sigma 85mm F1.4
Sigma 70-200mm F2.8'

Well, it would be pretty disappointing if they weren't. Without more information, it's impossible to know what that may mean in terms of revenue/profit for the respective companies.

For all the benefits that attach to a reviewer who knows Pentax equipment so well, and is so committed to the marque, there may be greater benefit still from seeking a review from a more disinterested source. It is conspicuous that the Ephotozine review finds fault with virtually nothing, apart from the lens line-up available to the camera. It simply stretches credulity to believe that anything made by Man could be so perfect. There is even praise for the video capability of the camera, echoing the marketing message, but in contrast to comments offered elsewhere. Everyone's right to a strong opinion strongly held is inviolable, but to be credible a review has to have light and shade. On this occasion, enthusiasm has trumped the need for a measured evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of this interesting new camera.

It is the one important feature that has been identified in some other reviews of the camera as not up to the standard available on certain comparable cameras. I couldn't care less about it, but then I don't photograph many things that move. Reviews are always hedged in by time and space constraints, but even so, not to try to offer some evaluation is disappointing and leaves a conspicuous hole in the review, however welcome and useful other parts of it are.

Thought I'd have a go at seeing how many rejections I could accumulate through PPG -- but I've hit a snag from the start. PPG reasonably does not want photos overprinted in any way, and that includes a (c) notice. Fine, I don't put them on my work. Or so I thought. The IPCT metadata does clandestinely carry my claim to ownership and the PPG software(unlike Pentax User's) pulls that through as a (c) line. I've deleted my claim to ownership in Lightroom's display, updated the disk, and re-exported the DNG file as a jpeg. But I cannot get rid of the wretched (c) line.

Any suggestions?

I am as fierce a defender of (c) as any person, but not here, not now

I like the 3rd one in particular. I wonder whether it wd be a stronger comp if you cropped the bottom a bit, up to the water of the tiny inlet (?). Anyway, v nice.

I try to get to the Lakes every year. I am envious of those who live there. Please tell me there's a downside

Echoing what's said above, the galleries on dpr generally have limited usefulness. Perhaps my eyes are worse than I thought, but I am not sure the photos complained of are oof. A bit soft, but that may well be the lens rather than anything the camera is doing.

The only substantial criticism I've come across does, though, concern the performance of AF -- which (allegedly) while representing an improvement on previous Pentax implementations is still deficient in the ability to track compared to the best of its rivals. Wouldn't bother me at all, since generally I don't click at things that move. If that kind of shooting were the bulk of my output I'd probably feel more strongly.

The light and shadow give your picture depth. My initial thought, though, is that the foreground and background are doing battle for my attention, to my eye's confusion. You really have two subjects -- the trees and the mountains -- and neither is quite in harmony with the other. The pic has some nice elements and colours, but a different perspective (if available) could have pulled them together more satisfyingly.

Perhaps a brief reminder of what is expected of a winner/judge, placed on the main competition page? I'd have thought it was fairly obvious from what has gone before, but to entrants winning for the first time the process will be unfamiliar. I appreciate that comments can sometimes be delayed for good reason, but judges should surely find it part of the fun to respond with a critique of the week's/month's entries.